At an April 18, 1962, National Security Council (NSC)
meeting, Kennedy approved an atmospheric test series, held in the
Pacific Ocean area from April 25 to November 3, 1962. Kennedy was
sensitive to world reactions to the tests and wanted them completed as
quickly as possible. At the NSC meeting he asked for a short lead time
between announcement and actual testing to minimize publicity. The
President also inquired about the possibility of a photographer taking
a picture of the mushroom cloud. A meeting memorandum noted that
"everyone but the President seemed to feel that radiation in milk was
no real problem." (176)